BIOGRAPHY

With an early career overshadowed by his marriage to larger-than-life comedienne Rosanne Barr, and a performance delivery akin to a highly caffeinated 14-year-old kid with self-esteem issues, by most accounts Tom Arnold should have faded from public view shortly after the notorious couple's bitter divorce. And yet, the comic actor persevered, working steadily in both film and on television as actor, comedian and media personality. Prior to being thrust into the limelight by Barr, no one had ever heard of Tom Arnold. However, by 1990 he was writing, producing and acting on her iconic sitcom, "Rosanne" (ABC, 1988-1997). Their marriage often played out like a train wreck for a salivating tabloid media. After their acrimonious divorce, Arnold was given a gift from director James Cameron, by being cast alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the hugely successful action comedy "True Lies" (1994). Suddenly, people were taking Arnold seriously as a comedic performer. What followed was a series of questionable movies such as "The Stupids" (1996) and failed TV sitcoms like "The Tom Show" (The WB, 1997-98). Eventually Arnold would settle into a career as a supporting player in smaller film roles, television series, and talk shows. Upon occasion, Arnold would be given the opportunity to prove that there was more to him than his nervous, crass personae, surprising critics with strong performances in smaller films like "Happy Endings" (2005). Although no longer starring in his own series or taking the lead in mainstream features, all things considered, it had worked out all right for Arnold. As he once said, "It's a pretty nice life, if you like being a punch line."